Heightening its recognition as a European player is a major objective of AlliedSignal in exhibiting here at Farnborough '98. Latest acquisitions bring the company's total European workforce to 12,000 in the automotive, aerospace and chemical industries.

"We're very large in Europe, but not yet recognized for it," AlliedSignal Aerospace Marketing, Sales & Service CEO Joe Leonard told Show News. "For example, we are the only manufacturer in Europe of auxiliary power units."

The company began deliveries just three months ago of the 131-9(A) auxiliary power unit to Airbus for the A320 aircraft. Assembled and tested in Raunheim, Germany, the APU has been selected by ten customers around the world, with more than 120 firm orders. It will enter service this month.

"We are proud to build and service the 131-9(A) and provide the only commercial transport APUs built on the European continent," said Tom Culligan, vice president of AlliedSignal Aerospace Marketing, Sales & Service for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "Our European production capability and established presence will allow us to quickly and effectively serve both the needs of our Airbus customers and our growing airline fleets in Europe."

AlliedSignal's aerospace operations in Europe employ 2,800 people in 25 locations, generating revenues of $1.5 billion a year. Among them is Normalair-Garrett Ltd. (NGL) in Yeovil, UK, a manufacturer of environmental control systems for the aerospace industry. AlliedSignal bought a 48% interest in NGL in 1967, and just three months ago acquired a 52% controlling interest with an option on the remainder from GKN plc. NGL also operates a 200-employee repair and overhaul shop for environmental controls and heat exchangers at Bournemouth Airport in the UK.

"We do a tremendous amount of work here in Europe, and now we're striving for a true European identity," Culligan said. "We are major suppliers to Fairchild Dornier, Airbus and Dassault business jets, and it is important that we are seen to have a European capability to design, develop, manufacture and repair our products here."

The company intends to expand further in Europe, through acquisitions or joint ventures. It has identified 30 or so possibilities from a starting list of 900 European aerospace companies. "We are pursuing and talking to a number of companies," Culligan said.

By John Morris